Picnic accessories

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for unitary assembly to carry diverse picnic supplies, such apparatus being light in weight while having desirable insulative and other functional attributes. The apparatus consists of a stackable series of insulated containers which are light in weight, individually insulative, and individually adapted for specific storage or utilitarian function. Individual modular containers of the unit may include such as a charcoal grill section, cold food storage section, dry food storage and still other specifically designated compartments.

United States Patent 1191 Carter 1451- May 21, 1974 [58] Field of Search206/4; 220/97 R, 8, 23.6 220/4 R, 4 D, 20; 126/261, 266, 9 R, 25 R;312/237 3/1914 Hildum 126/266 1,090,056 2,517,254 8/1950 Steele 220/83,369,691 2/1968 Wei 220/97 R Primary Examiner-Wil1iam T. Dixson, Jr.Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dunlap, Laney, l-lessin & Dougherty [57]ABSTRACT An apparatus for unitary assembly to carry diverse picnicsupplies, such apparatus being light in weight while having desirableinsulative and other functional attributes. The apparatus consists of astackable series of insulated containers which are light in weight,individually insulative, ,and individually adapted for spe- [56]References Clted cific storage or utilitarian function. Individualmodular UNITED STATES PATENTS containers of the unit may include such asa charcoal 3,220,541 11/1965 Wei 126/261 grill section, cold foodstorage section, dry food storl,285,743 ll/l9l8 Krebs 312/237 age andother specifically designated compart- 3,327,698 6/1967 Leslie 126/9 Rmems. 1% gr s/ 1 9 Wei 206/4 1,043,674 11/1912 Craig 126/266 8 Claims,'7Drawing Figures llllllllllllllllli fi [I ll' 1. l

PATENTEDmzr 1974 3,81 1 ,559

sum 1 or 2 z iwrzz w M Z 1 PICNIC ACCESSORIES BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates generally toapparatus for carriage of picnic supplies and, more particularly, butnot by way of limitation, it relates to' a generally modular type ofstackable picnic supply carrier assembly.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art includes numerous types ofinsulated carrier assemblies which may or may not include thestackability feature. However, the teachings of the prior art have notoffered a unitary carrier assembly having the complete versatility whichmay include modular sections having provision for charcoal grill, coldwater transportation, cutting and table facility, and the like. Priorart approaches at stackable carriage assemblies have been morerestrictive as to enablement of diverse functions, such restrictionsgenerally stemming from adaptation to a particular form or technique ofcatering function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a stackablepicnic carrier wherein a plurality of modular containers havingspecifically different carriage functions may be combined for unitarytransport. In a more limited aspect, the invention consists of aplurality of modular carriage containers formed in generally the sameshape from insulative construction, such carriage units being adapted asrequired to provide for water carriage, dry food carriage, cold foodcarriage, bar-b-q grill and charcoal carriage, etc. In addition, the topcover of the modular combination. is formed fromselected wood materialsas a cutting board, the cutting board fitting in coactive, sealed mannerwith a hardwaretray to form the top cover portion of the assembledcontainer assembly.

Therefore, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a modularcontainer carriage assembly which enables carriage of all picnicsupplies in a single unit.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a picnic supplycarriage assembly for transportof not only hot and cold food but also acomplete barbecue grill and charcoal.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a completepicnic supply carriage assembly which is light in weight and rugged, butwhich is economical of construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing detailed description when read in conjunction withtheaccompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a sideelevation of a modularcontainer assembly as constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the modular container assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of one form of the invention wherein thecontainer modules are formed in rectangular shape; and

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a form of the invention wherein the modularunits are formed to be of circular shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates an assembledmodular container assembly 10 consisting of stacked modular containerunits 12, 14 and 16. A top cover 18 is formed from suitable woodenmaterial to also function as a cutting board, .as will be furtherdescribed below, and handles 20 and 22 are formed in such a manner as toprovide a standard base when cover 18 is turned over and employed as acutting board.v When stacked, the individual container units 12, 14 and16 may be locked together in secure relationship by such as snapfasteners 24. It should be understood that many different forms of snapfastener 24 may be employed for the securing function and, if desirable,any number of suitably located fasteners 24 may be utilized about theperimeter of the modular connections.

FIG. 2 illustrates the modular containerassembly 10 in section as theindividual container units 12, 14 and 16 are employed for differentfunctions. In this particular designation, container unit 12 serves as abarbecue grill and charcoal container, container unit 14 may providecold food storage, and container unit 16 may be utilized for dry of hotfood storage. Each of container units 12, 14 and 16 may be formed ofgenerally similar construction. That is, they may be formed to have anouter shell 26 and an inner shell 28 formed as by molding to define aninner space of suitable thickness for containing a selected insulativematerial 30. The container units l2, l4 and 16 may also be formed toinclude the hand grip indentations 32 on opposite sides of therespective units.

The top perimeterof each of container units 12, 14 and 16 is formed toinclude a rectangular indentation therabout i.e., formed shoulder 34. Aninsulative gasket 36, e.g., a rubber or neoprene loop, is suitablybonded to extend around the surface of shoulder 34. Container unit 14seats directly onto the gasket 36 of container unit 12 for snapfastening. However, container unit 14 may'include an insulative plate orlid 38 for seating on respective gasket 36 to receive-the bottom surfaceof drycontainer unit 16. Lid 38 is shown as-including handles 40 whichmust, of necessity, find recess space within the bottom of containerunit 16 when stacked. However, improvements inmanufacturing operationsmay dictate provision of simple fingerholes through lid 38 thusobviating the necessity for further mold refinements in the bottom ofcontainer unit 16. A receptacle tray 42 is formedto the general internaldimensions of the container units and to include an outward flange 44which serves to support the .tray 42 on gasket-36 prior to placement ofthe nex- I well-known techniques, the internal space is filled with oneof the commercially available foam plastics such as catalysis expandedfoam, e.g., polystyrene, polyurethane, etc. Lid 38 and tray 42 may alsobe formed from one of the semi-rigid plastics as aforementioned, butthere is no. undue restriction as any of many different materials may beutilized. Cover 18 is formed from hard wood in the manner ofconventional cutting board formation, and thereafter shaped to includeinverted shoulder 44 about the perimeter thereof to afford tight fittingengagement when inserted over the top opening of container unit 16.

The container unit 12 includes a barbecue grill 48 and may also beutilized to carry whatever the necessary supply of charcoal 50. As shownin FIG. 3, grill 48 consists of a base tray 52 of generally rectangularshape having bendable, metallic support rods 54 and 56 suitably affixedas by welding or the like to opposite sides theereof. A grill surface 58is then supported between selected ones of respective grill supportmembers 60 and 62 as secured to each of respective supports and 56, Thesupports 54 and 56 may be selected from metal of suitable gauge whichallows resilient bending to enableinsertionof grillsurface 58 at thedesired support level relative to the grill tray 52.

In operation, the carrier assembly'l0 enables a unitary device forcarrying all materials and supplies required fora picnic or campingtrip, including the means to prepare hot food. The container unit 12which includes charcoal grill 48 may also carry as many briquets ofcharcoal 50 as desired up to the point of capacity. The container unit14 which is also adapted to include an insulative cover panel 38 may beutilized to carry cold drinks, food requiring refrigeration and ice. Dryfood, warm food, and various other items may be included in thecontainer unit 16, and the inserted cover tray 42 enables stilladditional storage which is desirable for silverware, carving knives,napkins, paper plates and-the like. The entire unit can then be placedin stacked assembly and securely fastened together for unitarytransport. It should also be understood that grill 48 may take the formof a conventional form of bottled gas cooker as constructedto necessarydimensions.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative form of'container' unit 70' which isparticularly adapted for containinga charcoal grill. The containeritself is constructed as aforedescribed, including an inner lining 72and outer lining 74 formed of relatively durable plastic and includingan insulative foamed plastic 76 filling the void therebetween. Acharcoal grill 78 consists of a metal receptacle v80 shaped-for matingfit down within inner lining 72 of container unit 70. Receptacle 80 ispreferably formed from sheet aluminum for its heat dissipationqualities, and it further includes support tabs 82 and '84 affixed onopposite edges of the upper rim thereof. A grill surface 86 is thensupported between support tabs 82 and 84.

therein which is filled with suitable insulative foamed plastic.

Container unit 92 is essentially the same as unit 70.0f FIG. 4 carryingthe grill 78 and charcoal briquets 50 therein. Container unit 94 is analternative structure which serves as a water carrier. Container unit 94is formed with a totally enclosed volume 104 as defined by an innerlining 106 and spaced outer lining 108 containing insulative foamedplastic 110 therebetween. An upper wall 112 of container unit 94 isformed to include a fill hole 1 14 of suitable diameter to enable easypouring of liquid therethrough for subsequent closure by a stopper 116.A sidewall 118 is formed to include an indenture portion 120 in thelower part of outer lining 108 in order to include a suitablepush-button spigot 122 therein to enable controlled flow of liquid fromcontainer unit 94.

A container unit 96 may then be utilized to carry ice immediately'abovethe water container unit 94. In this event, it may be desirable toprovide a variation in the thickness of bottom 124 of container unit 96to allow for heat conductive advantage or cold transfer to the watercontainer unit 94. Thus, lowering of floor 124, as shown by dashed lines126, with provision for little or no insulation therein will providedesirable cooling in the direction of the water supply within containerunit Ice container unit 96 will include the usual insulative gasket 36to receive container unit 98 therein. Similarly, the additionalcontainer units 98, 100 and so forth are allof identical constructionand as many may be utilized as is practical. In the embodiment of FIG.5,

FIG. 5 illustrates additional features of the invention and is intendedto stress the design versatility and manufacturing flexibility of thepresent teachings. Thus, a

carrier assembly consists of a multiple of stacked individual containerunits 92, 94, 96, 98 and as covered by a cutting board cover 102. Eachof the con-- tainer units 92-100 is constructed in essentially the samemanner as previously described. That is, an outer shell constitutinginner and outer linings formed from resilient, rugged plastic anddefining a void space it would probably be desirable .to store cold orrefrigeration requiring products in containerunit 98, adjacent the icewithin container unit 96, and container unit 100 would then be utilizedfor warm or dry foods and other accessories.

The individual container units 9210() are fastened together by means ofa suitable strap 128, e.g., a steel strap having a carrier handle andsnap fastener 132 integrally associated therewith. It is also foreseenthat a more resilient strap having a lengthwise adjustment facility maybe desirable for those modular assemblies wherein there may beconsiderable option by the user as to the number of individual carrierunits to be secured. g I

As shown in FIGS. sand 7, the particular crosssectional shaping of theunits is purely a matter of choice and may be either rectangular asshown in FIG. 6, circular as shown in FIG. 7, or any other desiredconfiguration. No matter what the shape, the securing band 128 may bealigned through formed vertical grooves 134 as positioned in linevertically on opposite sides of the'respective container units.

While the particular container structure shown deal primarily with foodand food preparation container units, it should also be understood thatadditionalmodnic outing. A device constructed in accordance with theinvention is easily manufactured at low cost 'utilizing most desirablematerials from the standpoint of strength, insulative properties anddurability; and the structure is capable of precise and relable stackedassembly whereby easily adapted securing or fastening structure canprovide a compact unit having great stability through the stresses andvibrations incurred in transport.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of elements asheretofore set forth in specification and shown in the drawings; itbeing understood that changes may be made in the embodiments disclosedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedin the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A modular container assembly which includes a plurality of stackedcontainer units, comprising:

a first container unit defining a continuous storage space and includinga bottom and side wall terminating in a predetermined shaped openingabout the top thereof, said opening being formed as an outer perimetricrim which extends into an inwardly disposed perimetric invertedshoulder, said first container unit including a cooking grill forinsertion therein and disposition in close proximity to said side walls;

at least one additional container unit defining a continuous storagespace and having a bottom and side walls terminating in saidpredetermined shaped opening about the top of said side walls saidopening being formed as an outer perimetric rim which extends into aninwardly disposed perimetric inverted shoulder, and the bottom perimeterthereof being formed with a perimetric shoulder for mating engagementwith a container unit inverted shoulder;

cover means shaped with a perimetric shoulder for mating engagement withan inverted shoulder for conformable closure of said predeterminedshaped opening of said at least one additional container means, saidcover means being formed of hard wood material for service as a cuttingboard; and

means for securing said container units and cover means in securelystacked assembly. 2. A modular container assembly as set forth in claim1 wherein each of said container units comprise:

an outer shell formed from an inner liner and an outer liner spacedtherefrom to define an internal void, said void being filled withcatalysis expanded foam plastic insulative material.

3. A modular container assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidouter shell is molded from selected thermoplastic material as acontinuous formation.

4. A modular container assembly as set forth in claim 2 which is furthercharacterized to include:

a container unit having a bottom, side walls and top wall includingwater fill hole therethrough, said side walls being formed to extendupward beyond said top wall to define said predetermined shaped opening;and

spigot means sealingly disposed through one side wall of said containerunit.

5. A modular container assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

each of said container units includes an indentation in the outer linersof opposite side walls thereof to form hand grip openings.

'6. A modular container assembly as set forth in claim 1 which isfurther characterized to include:

tray means shaped as said predetermined shaped opening and having anoutwardly flanged surface about the perimeter thereof, said tray meansbeing disposed within said uppermost at least one additional containermeans to be secured therein by said cover means.

7. A modular container assembly as set forth in claim 1 which is furthercharacterized to include:

gasket means disposed about the predetermined shaped opening of saidfirst container unit and said at least one additional container unit toprovide sealing insulative closure of said stacked container units.

8. A modular container assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidcooking grill comprises:

charcoal grill assembly including a tray, oppositely disposed supportmembers and grill surface assembly for'support by said support members.

1. A modular container assembly which includes a plurality of stackedcontainer units, comprising: a first container unit defining acontinuous storage space and including a bottom and side wallterminating in a predetermined shaped opening about the top thereof,said opening being formed as an outer perimetric rim which extends intoan inwardly disposed perimetric inverted shoulder, said first containerunit including a cooking grill for insertion therein and disposition inclose proximity to said side walls; at least one additional containerunit defining a continuous storage space and having a botTom and sidewalls terminating in said predetermined shaped opening about the top ofsaid side walls said opening being formed as an outer perimetric rimwhich extends into an inwardly disposed perimetric inverted shoulder,and the bottom perimeter thereof being formed with a perimetric shoulderfor mating engagement with a container unit inverted shoulder; covermeans shaped with a perimetric shoulder for mating engagement with aninverted shoulder for conformable closure of said predetermined shapedopening of said at least one additional container means, said covermeans being formed of hard wood material for service as a cutting board;and means for securing said container units and cover means in securelystacked assembly.
 2. A modular container assembly as set forth in claim1 wherein each of said container units comprise: an outer shell formedfrom an inner liner and an outer liner spaced therefrom to define aninternal void, said void being filled with catalysis expanded foamplastic insulative material.
 3. A modular container assembly as setforth in claim 2 wherein said outer shell is molded from selectedthermoplastic material as a continuous formation.
 4. A modular containerassembly as set forth in claim 2 which is further characterized toinclude: a container unit having a bottom, side walls and top wallincluding water fill hole therethrough, said side walls being formed toextend upward beyond said top wall to define said predetermined shapedopening; and spigot means sealingly disposed through one side wall ofsaid container unit.
 5. A modular container assembly as set forth inclaim 2 wherein: each of said container units includes an indentation inthe outer liners of opposite side walls thereof to form hand gripopenings.
 6. A modular container assembly as set forth in claim 1 whichis further characterized to include: tray means shaped as saidpredetermined shaped opening and having an outwardly flanged surfaceabout the perimeter thereof, said tray means being disposed within saiduppermost at least one additional container means to be secured thereinby said cover means.
 7. A modular container assembly as set forth inclaim 1 which is further characterized to include: gasket means disposedabout the predetermined shaped opening of said first container unit andsaid at least one additional container unit to provide sealinginsulative closure of said stacked container units.
 8. A modularcontainer assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cooking grillcomprises: charcoal grill assembly including a tray, oppositely disposedsupport members and grill surface assembly for support by said supportmembers.